We have been unfair to Niger Delta area, says Fawehinmi
By Seye Olumide

LEGAL icon Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) has renewed call on the Federal Government to organise a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) that would draft a credible constitution for the country.

He also called on religious leaders to embark on serious prayers over the Niger Delta crisis and against corruption.
He made the call at his Ikeja GRA Lagos home over the weekend during a visit to him by the Prelate of Methodist Church, Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Sunday Ola Makinde.

Fawehinmi expressed fear that the foundation of the country was shaking and might give way anytime if the government failed to organise a Sovereign National Conference.

On the Niger Delta crisis, Fawehinmi recalled how the late Isaac Adaka Boro tried to use violence to achieve his points and failed; and Ken Saro Wiwa applied peaceful strategy through dialogue and failed. He decried the dangerous dimension the Niger Delta struggle had now assumed with militants on the prowl.

He therefore urged religious leaders in the country to seek the face of God over the crisis as the Niger Delta struggle could be a factor that would set other crisis, that are waiting to explode in the country, on fire.

While faulting the present system of government which he described as deterrent to development and progress, Fawehinmi said: "The only alternative to the present political economic and social problems is the Sovereign National Conference where every ethnic group, interest groups and professional bodies among others would be represented and deliberate on the type of constitution that would enhance development of Nigeria.

"It is not just sad that Nigeria have political leaders who do not fear God or love the people they govern. Rather than giving Nigerians succour despite our wealth in terms of oil, human and other natural resources, they have given us hardship. This is possible and easy for them to do because the present type of government we run encourages it," he said.

He therefore called on President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to set up a 50 man committee, 25 appointed by government and 25 selected from ethnic and interest groups across the country to make necessary preparations on what shape the SNC would take.

He further suggested that the SNC should comprise of representatives of all ethnic groups to be elected by the people, representatives from all Local Councils, organised labour, interest groups, professional bodies and others but basically not on party basis.
"They should discuss and draft a new constitution which should be sent to the Federal Government for study after which a referendum should be held to deliberate on it."

Fawehinmi lamented that ever since the history of constitutional drafting in Nigeria there had never been a referendum. Previous constitutions had always been forced on Nigerians particularly the 1999 constitution.

Going back to the Niger Delta, Fawehinmi said: "It is only prayers that could solve the Niger Delta problem. I want to sound it clear that the people of the Niger Delta have been oppressed, depressed and frustrated in this nation. It is inhuman that the source of Nigerian wealth today is being denied social justice.

"There is poverty, death and sufferings in Niger Delta. The issue of the area alone could make God angry withNigeria. Their wealth is being used against them; some leaders in the area have compromised the progress and settlement of the region due to their selfish interest. It is time we faced the reality over Niger Delta crisis."

He continued: "I was the leading counsel to Ken Saro Wiwa in 1995 and he told me during the trial at the Kangaroo tribunal set up to murder him that he pitied what would happen to his people and Nigeria after his death. Then he told me to walk out on the tribunal. In tears I did, but today we are all witnesses to what is happening."

Fawehinmi therefore urged President Yar'Adua never to return violence for violence in the crisis but rather look into the needs of the people.

"The Niger Delta people deserve our apology in this country. Nigeria has never been fair to them. No not at all. It is now a battle that must be committed to God in prayers," he stressed.

The social crusader also decried the high level of corruption in the country, saying: "The greatest deterrent to the development of any nation is corruption. Our situation is critical like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Every aspect of the country is deep in corruption. Our governments have not come out in full force and determination to fight corruption. Until a determination is made to get rid of corruption in the system it would continue to be the same story."

Ibime:

We have been unfair to Niger Delta area, says Fawehinmi
By Seye Olumide

LEGAL icon Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) has renewed call on the Federal Government to organise a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) that would draft a credible constitution for the country.

He also called on religious leaders to embark on serious prayers over the Niger Delta crisis and against corruption.
He made the call at his Ikeja GRA Lagos home over the weekend during a visit to him by the Prelate of Methodist Church, Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Sunday Ola Makinde.

Fawehinmi expressed fear that the foundation of the country was shaking and might give way anytime if the government failed to organise a Sovereign National Conference.

On the Niger Delta crisis, Fawehinmi recalled how the late Isaac Adaka Boro tried to use violence to achieve his points and failed; and Ken Saro Wiwa applied peaceful strategy through dialogue and failed. He decried the dangerous dimension the Niger Delta struggle had now assumed with militants on the prowl.

He therefore urged religious leaders in the country to seek the face of God over the crisis as the Niger Delta struggle could be a factor that would set other crisis, that are waiting to explode in the country, on fire.

While faulting the present system of government which he described as deterrent to development and progress, Fawehinmi said: "The only alternative to the present political economic and social problems is the Sovereign National Conference where every ethnic group, interest groups and professional bodies among others would be represented and deliberate on the type of constitution that would enhance development of Nigeria.

"It is not just sad that Nigeria have political leaders who do not fear God or love the people they govern. Rather than giving Nigerians succour despite our wealth in terms of oil, human and other natural resources, they have given us hardship. This is possible and easy for them to do because the present type of government we run encourages it," he said.

He therefore called on President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to set up a 50 man committee, 25 appointed by government and 25 selected from ethnic and interest groups across the country to make necessary preparations on what shape the SNC would take.

He further suggested that the SNC should comprise of representatives of all ethnic groups to be elected by the people, representatives from all Local Councils, organised labour, interest groups, professional bodies and others but basically not on party basis.
"They should discuss and draft a new constitution which should be sent to the Federal Government for study after which a referendum should be held to deliberate on it."

Fawehinmi lamented that ever since the history of constitutional drafting in Nigeria there had never been a referendum. Previous constitutions had always been forced on Nigerians particularly the 1999 constitution.

Going back to the Niger Delta, Fawehinmi said: "It is only prayers that could solve the Niger Delta problem. I want to sound it clear that the people of the Niger Delta have been oppressed, depressed and frustrated in this nation. It is inhuman that the source of Nigerian wealth today is being denied social justice.

"There is poverty, death and sufferings in Niger Delta. The issue of the area alone could make God angry withNigeria. Their wealth is being used against them; some leaders in the area have compromised the progress and settlement of the region due to their selfish interest. It is time we faced the reality over Niger Delta crisis."

He continued: "I was the leading counsel to Ken Saro Wiwa in 1995 and he told me during the trial at the Kangaroo tribunal set up to murder him that he pitied what would happen to his people and Nigeria after his death. Then he told me to walk out on the tribunal. In tears I did, but today we are all witnesses to what is happening."

Fawehinmi therefore urged President Yar'Adua never to return violence for violence in the crisis but rather look into the needs of the people.

"The Niger Delta people deserve our apology in this country. Nigeria has never been fair to them. No not at all. It is now a battle that must be committed to God in prayers," he stressed.

The social crusader also decried the high level of corruption in the country, saying: "The greatest deterrent to the development of any nation is corruption. Our situation is critical like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Every aspect of the country is deep in corruption. Our governments have not come out in full force and determination to fight corruption. Until a determination is made to get rid of corruption in the system it would continue to be the same story."

I CONCUR TO THE ABOVE IN BOLD

CORRUPTION IS THE ONLY MAJOR THING THAT IS SETTING NIGERIA BACKWARD. UNTIL WE CAN TAKLE AND FIND A WORKABLE AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTION THAT START WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT WE ARE JUST WASTING OUR TIME.

READ MY PIECE ON CORRUPTION- WHAT ARE YOUR SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS THAT IS EFFECTIVE, WORKABLE AND START NOW?